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BULLETS OVER BAJA: Attack Yields Grave Consequences
- Thread starter ShakaZulu
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Thanks for getting the name(s) right! It's been over 20 years ago. Memory fades after a while.
Josephine's Sky Ranch (for good conversation, some rest and a feed), Moma and Papa Diaz, and others I had the chance to meet down there years ago- all changed now, of course.
They are all gone now, and it's been a long, long time since I've driven down the peninsula. I did fly into Loreto in 2000 to dive for a week to dive Las Animas and other spots down there.....but that's been it.
I was so shocked at the poor condition of the waters around Coyote Cove from folks populating the beach, and many other changes I saw in 2000, that I prefer to not go back so I can remember Baja as it was in the late 60's to mid- 80's when I used to go down there.
But thanks! Smith- right!
shep
Josephine's Sky Ranch (for good conversation, some rest and a feed), Moma and Papa Diaz, and others I had the chance to meet down there years ago- all changed now, of course.
They are all gone now, and it's been a long, long time since I've driven down the peninsula. I did fly into Loreto in 2000 to dive for a week to dive Las Animas and other spots down there.....but that's been it.
I was so shocked at the poor condition of the waters around Coyote Cove from folks populating the beach, and many other changes I saw in 2000, that I prefer to not go back so I can remember Baja as it was in the late 60's to mid- 80's when I used to go down there.
But thanks! Smith- right!
shep
Today, if there were any attempt to rewrite the law by the Mexican Government and seize property, there are many, many more "parties of interest" than 35 years ago....and there'd be lots of money thrown at stopping it from happening again.
That just goes to show you about how corrupt the Mexican goverment is.
John
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You know your Baja very well! I suspect you have many good memories of places forever lost to progress down there too.
I did a little searching on the internet and can find nothing of Josephine and the "Sky Ranch" I speak of.
The "Ranch" was located between Catavina and Punta Prieta (I'm probably killing the spellings). Josephine, back in the 1970's, was in her 70's or maybe 80's, had long, flowing black hair all the way down to her thighs. She was fluent in English and was married for years to a Los Angeles plumber.
She would often offer me up free sodas and food to stay a while longer and visit with her. She liked me because I was a plumber back then!
I do remember Sammy, the oldest son of the Diaz family. One year, after loosing our 18' aluminum boat and trailer over a cliff on the way down to LA Bay, we spent the better part of two days limping into the Bay with the boat and trailer. Sammy worked all day patching our boat. When the trailer came off our truck, we had opened up the stem of the boat like a ragged can opener had gone through it- the boat "flew.....almost" over the wench post and tore a hole big enough to sink the Titanic!
Sammy patched our boat with a piece of airplane wing from a crashed plane which, by chance, I witnessed crash into the water at the Bay several years earlier. Cost of Sammy's repair- $5!
Then there was the 4th of July celebration I attended when Papa Diaz got a little carried away and fired off his pistol to celebrate- after a few too many tequilas. When the small squad of federal police showed up to investigate, they faced a crowd of 30 liars who collectively never heard any shots fired!
Yes Sam, you are right, "you can't go back again". I'm living in Australia now, and though very different a place when compared to Baja, it's got a special "wild west" charm all of it's own. We travel full time for work and we've been on the road now for going on 8 years. Western Australia is "my adopted" Baja! But...the Mexican food here is lousy!
We are currently on the west coast of Australia on the Indian Ocean in Port Hedland, around 1,650kms north from Perth, the world's most remote capital city. We're out here on the edge- making new memories!
Cheers,
shep
I did a little searching on the internet and can find nothing of Josephine and the "Sky Ranch" I speak of.
The "Ranch" was located between Catavina and Punta Prieta (I'm probably killing the spellings). Josephine, back in the 1970's, was in her 70's or maybe 80's, had long, flowing black hair all the way down to her thighs. She was fluent in English and was married for years to a Los Angeles plumber.
She would often offer me up free sodas and food to stay a while longer and visit with her. She liked me because I was a plumber back then!
I do remember Sammy, the oldest son of the Diaz family. One year, after loosing our 18' aluminum boat and trailer over a cliff on the way down to LA Bay, we spent the better part of two days limping into the Bay with the boat and trailer. Sammy worked all day patching our boat. When the trailer came off our truck, we had opened up the stem of the boat like a ragged can opener had gone through it- the boat "flew.....almost" over the wench post and tore a hole big enough to sink the Titanic!
Sammy patched our boat with a piece of airplane wing from a crashed plane which, by chance, I witnessed crash into the water at the Bay several years earlier. Cost of Sammy's repair- $5!
Then there was the 4th of July celebration I attended when Papa Diaz got a little carried away and fired off his pistol to celebrate- after a few too many tequilas. When the small squad of federal police showed up to investigate, they faced a crowd of 30 liars who collectively never heard any shots fired!
Yes Sam, you are right, "you can't go back again". I'm living in Australia now, and though very different a place when compared to Baja, it's got a special "wild west" charm all of it's own. We travel full time for work and we've been on the road now for going on 8 years. Western Australia is "my adopted" Baja! But...the Mexican food here is lousy!
We are currently on the west coast of Australia on the Indian Ocean in Port Hedland, around 1,650kms north from Perth, the world's most remote capital city. We're out here on the edge- making new memories!
Cheers,
shep
scjoe
Contributor
"Today, if there were any attempt to rewrite the law by the Mexican Government and seize property, there are many, many more "parties of interest" than 35 years ago....and there'd be lots of money thrown at stopping it from happening again."
I don't know that the results would necessarily be different for individual homeowners. The acquisitions I referred to took place starting in 1988 and the evictions took place in 2000. This is relatively recent history. The whole mess involved approximately 500 Americans who had invested more than 20 million dollars in a development officially blessed by the Mexican government. The Americans had been encouraged to "buy" with a letter from the Mexican Federal Agrarian Reform Ministry affirming "the absolute legality and legal safety" of building their homes in the development which included a 96 room hotel. This was done at a time that the Ministry knew the government's title was being disputed and that development permits had been canceled, but no notice of this dispute was given to the Americans. The one thing all the private parties involved (both Mexican and American) agreed on was that corruption in the Mexican government at both the State and Federal was at the root of the problem.
I don't know that the results would necessarily be different for individual homeowners. The acquisitions I referred to took place starting in 1988 and the evictions took place in 2000. This is relatively recent history. The whole mess involved approximately 500 Americans who had invested more than 20 million dollars in a development officially blessed by the Mexican government. The Americans had been encouraged to "buy" with a letter from the Mexican Federal Agrarian Reform Ministry affirming "the absolute legality and legal safety" of building their homes in the development which included a 96 room hotel. This was done at a time that the Ministry knew the government's title was being disputed and that development permits had been canceled, but no notice of this dispute was given to the Americans. The one thing all the private parties involved (both Mexican and American) agreed on was that corruption in the Mexican government at both the State and Federal was at the root of the problem.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shep,
I was concentrating on areas and sky ranches around 150 mile plus mark from the border. Around San Quentin to Santa Maria, which in the era you visited was a good hard days drive from the border.
Now that I have more information I think I have your answer...Rancho Santa Ines, several miles south of Catavina and about 400 miles below the border. Yes there is an seldom used and almost forgotten airstrip on the plateau above the ranch..
The lady you recall was probably Josefina Zuniga who for many years ran Santa Ines. Sadly you are correct she is no longer with us has been gone many many years, possibly 30 or more. The ranch has been turned over to her daughter and grand children.
It is now a combination cafe, overnight camping area, and still offers an over night bunk house for those wanting to obtain relief from the summer heat or the cold winter winds.
Still there- not much has changed --but it will change.
Yes, like you I am a Bajaphile. Made my first trip to Ensenada in December 1951 and have returned often -- Generally 2 to 4 trips yearly. Life has been good to Mrs Miller and I so for the past 10 plus years we have been supporting various educational interest in Baja with large donations of supplies and equipment.
sdm
bvmjethead
Contributor
Rancho Santa Ines and Josefina! That's great to hear as I've spent the better part of today trying to remember the name of the Ranch. I had no doubt she had passed as it was many years ago since I visited there. It was a hard drive to make it that far in a day from the border- and this is why her place was always a good stopping point on the road. Josefina was a very special woman- I very much enjoyed her stories, both new and old.
Thanks for that! I will pm you about your program of supplying educational efforts in Baja.
Cheers,
shep
Thanks for that! I will pm you about your program of supplying educational efforts in Baja.
Cheers,
shep
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STILL MORE...(LONG READ...)
AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU DON'T HAVE A HOME IN BAJA?
SOURCE; The gringo gazette Norte
"Violent Crime Threatens Baja Tourism
Sensationalism, underreporting, or both?
By Nancy Conroy
A spate of recent reports in the US press about carjackings, highway robberies and violent crime in Baja California threatens to destroy tourism. Over Thanksgiving weekend, few visitors arrived in Baja and major tourist destinations were empty. Negative reports about Baja crime are all over the Internet, with most people saying that they are sick of everything about Mexico, and will never travel there again. Tourism officials conducted emergency meetings, and finally made a public announcement last week. The official story is that the crime wave was a brief aberration, measures have been taken, and the problem has now been solved. Believe that story at your peril.
Although the current crime wave has only now been reported by the US press, actually these violent attacks on tourists have been occurring at least since last summer. The reports currently coming out in San Diego are not necessarily new incidents. Some of them happened last August or September, when the last wave of carjackings hit the Baja toll roads. The problem settled down in September and October, and then started up again with a vengeance in November. There was also another rash of attacks and carjackings last year in August of 2006, but that one was covered up more effectively and most people have forgotten about it. But, Baja 1000 racers have not forgotten the murder of Duane Curtis on a lonely beach last year during the 2006 race. That memory is probably what prompted them to arrive late at the race this year, leave early, and report all crimes to the US press. These incidents are nothing new, but the tourists and sportsmen are fed up with it and are finally going public.
Covering up incidents of crime against American tourists has long been a basic goal for Baja officials and real estate leaders. When a Baja tourism e-newsletter recently reprinted one of the crime articles, real estate and tourism officials sent emails to the webmaster arguing that circulating such information was an act of "negativity". The Gringo Gazette first reported the carjackings problem last September and received aggressive criticism for doing so. Leaders and officials prefer to deny reports, ignore the truth, and lean on local media to kill the story. They do nothing about the problem until the US press starts to report it.
Now, the officials are in full PR and damage control mode. There is an old script that they have read to the US press before, the claim that there will now be a safe, "no-shakedown" corridor in the tourist zone. That story is an old yarn that sounds good in press announcements, but has never actually been implemented. They also say that the crime wave was a temporary phenomenon associated with the change in government administration, a claim that is disproved by the actual dates of the crimes. They have also dramatically unveiled new anti-crime initiatives, measures that have been tried before and have never worked in the past. The idea is to convince the American newspapers to report that safety programs are in place, the problem is solved, and Baja is now safe for tourists.
The Baja officials genuinely would like to believe their own hype, but in reality crime is out of their control. The carjackings are not being committed by ordinary criminals, the perpetrators are armed commando squads affiliated with drug cartels. Local, state and federal authorities do not have adequate resources to fight the "Men in Black". The only action that has ever successfully decreased Baja crime is federal intervention by the Mexican military. A tourism protection initiative proposed by business leaders is not going to solve the problem.
In the past, drug crime in Baja did not affect tourists or the American community as much. Previously, the shootings and kidnappings seemed to be directed at police or drug dealers, and Americans were largely unaffected. Now, however, the new carjacking methodology does specifically target Americans, especially naive tourists. An unmarked vehicle, usually a pick up or SUV, flashes police lights and sirens at a car with California plates driving on the toll road. Believing that the car is a police cruiser, the American pulls over to the side of the road and is attacked by armed commandos. Anyone with a sharp eye can learn to identify these vehicles with the lights and sirens, and will soon realize that many of these cars roam the streets, sometimes in caravans. This is a new phenomenon that has emerged over the last year and it represents a serious threat to American tourists."
AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU DON'T HAVE A HOME IN BAJA?
SOURCE; The gringo gazette Norte
"Violent Crime Threatens Baja Tourism
Sensationalism, underreporting, or both?
By Nancy Conroy
A spate of recent reports in the US press about carjackings, highway robberies and violent crime in Baja California threatens to destroy tourism. Over Thanksgiving weekend, few visitors arrived in Baja and major tourist destinations were empty. Negative reports about Baja crime are all over the Internet, with most people saying that they are sick of everything about Mexico, and will never travel there again. Tourism officials conducted emergency meetings, and finally made a public announcement last week. The official story is that the crime wave was a brief aberration, measures have been taken, and the problem has now been solved. Believe that story at your peril.
Although the current crime wave has only now been reported by the US press, actually these violent attacks on tourists have been occurring at least since last summer. The reports currently coming out in San Diego are not necessarily new incidents. Some of them happened last August or September, when the last wave of carjackings hit the Baja toll roads. The problem settled down in September and October, and then started up again with a vengeance in November. There was also another rash of attacks and carjackings last year in August of 2006, but that one was covered up more effectively and most people have forgotten about it. But, Baja 1000 racers have not forgotten the murder of Duane Curtis on a lonely beach last year during the 2006 race. That memory is probably what prompted them to arrive late at the race this year, leave early, and report all crimes to the US press. These incidents are nothing new, but the tourists and sportsmen are fed up with it and are finally going public.
Covering up incidents of crime against American tourists has long been a basic goal for Baja officials and real estate leaders. When a Baja tourism e-newsletter recently reprinted one of the crime articles, real estate and tourism officials sent emails to the webmaster arguing that circulating such information was an act of "negativity". The Gringo Gazette first reported the carjackings problem last September and received aggressive criticism for doing so. Leaders and officials prefer to deny reports, ignore the truth, and lean on local media to kill the story. They do nothing about the problem until the US press starts to report it.
Now, the officials are in full PR and damage control mode. There is an old script that they have read to the US press before, the claim that there will now be a safe, "no-shakedown" corridor in the tourist zone. That story is an old yarn that sounds good in press announcements, but has never actually been implemented. They also say that the crime wave was a temporary phenomenon associated with the change in government administration, a claim that is disproved by the actual dates of the crimes. They have also dramatically unveiled new anti-crime initiatives, measures that have been tried before and have never worked in the past. The idea is to convince the American newspapers to report that safety programs are in place, the problem is solved, and Baja is now safe for tourists.
The Baja officials genuinely would like to believe their own hype, but in reality crime is out of their control. The carjackings are not being committed by ordinary criminals, the perpetrators are armed commando squads affiliated with drug cartels. Local, state and federal authorities do not have adequate resources to fight the "Men in Black". The only action that has ever successfully decreased Baja crime is federal intervention by the Mexican military. A tourism protection initiative proposed by business leaders is not going to solve the problem.
In the past, drug crime in Baja did not affect tourists or the American community as much. Previously, the shootings and kidnappings seemed to be directed at police or drug dealers, and Americans were largely unaffected. Now, however, the new carjacking methodology does specifically target Americans, especially naive tourists. An unmarked vehicle, usually a pick up or SUV, flashes police lights and sirens at a car with California plates driving on the toll road. Believing that the car is a police cruiser, the American pulls over to the side of the road and is attacked by armed commandos. Anyone with a sharp eye can learn to identify these vehicles with the lights and sirens, and will soon realize that many of these cars roam the streets, sometimes in caravans. This is a new phenomenon that has emerged over the last year and it represents a serious threat to American tourists."
